Health Notes: Unplanned pregnancies increasing in 18-24 age group

The U.S. has one of the highest rates of unplanned pregnancy in the developed world. Nearly one in 10 unmarried women (ages 20 to 29) has an unplanned pregnancy each year, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute. That is approximately 1.3 million unplanned pregnancies annually -- a 13 percent increase in this group since 2001.

The research shows that fewer than half of young women use birth control consistently.

The new multimedia campaign by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and the Ad Council sends young women to www.bedsider.org to help find the right birth control method for them. Visitors can explore, compare and contrast all available methods of contraception, set up birth control and appointment reminders, read others' stories, and more.

"Bedsider and the accompanying PSA campaign are trying to 'rebrand' contraception as a positive part of life that promotes self-determination, education and achievement," said Sarah Brown, CEO of The National Campaign. "Both bring fun and a light touch to an area that is too often hush-hush, serious and boring."

The ads are running in advertising times and spaces entirely donated by the media.